Pencil Drawings
April 18th, 2008
Have you ever wondered how to make pencil drawings look real? Of course, it takes practice but one simple thing you can do is add shading. For simple sketches, you might want to use a regular # 2 pencil, but the downside to this is that it is harder to show value (the darks and lights, and all those in between) in the piece of art. Drawing pencils are better! When first looking for drawing pencils the information on the labels might look like mumbo jumbo, but it really isn’t hard. Drawing pencils can be found at art supply stores or craft stores and they usually come in packets with four or more pencils ranging from H, the hardest pencil and lightest line, to 6B, the softest pencil and darkest line. If you are looking for an even darker pencil, an ebony pencil or graphite stick works best. For beginners, I’d recommend a 6B. Hold your horses! Before drawing the picture, try working with your pencils and see how hard to press to get different shades by creating a value scale (a line of boxes with lightest to darkest). Then experiment with different methods of shading. There’s the crosshatching technique (lines crossed over one another), stippling (little dots next to each other), and regular shading (tilting the pencil on its side like coloring with crayons). Decide which way of shading you like best.
After the experimentation with the pencils you will be ready to make a wonderful drawing. So pick up something from around the house, like an apple, or cup, and set in a sunny spot. You will notice how there are darks and lights on that object, just like the value scale, and there is probably a shadow underneath the object. Start to sketch the object next, with whatever darkness of pencil you would like to use. Keep in mind that you want to be able to erase your line if you make a mistake. An H pencil would work well. For this part, just do the outline of the object. No shading is necessary.Phew! Sometimes getting the drawing just how you want it to be is hard, but once you are done with the outline it is time to do as Mrs. Frizzle says, “Take chances! Make mistakes! And get messy!” Don’t be afraid to mess up; you can always start over again another time. So, start shading those lights and darks that you identified earlier with whatever shading technique you would like to use. Make sure you follow the shape of the object as you shade so that the shading gives it three-dimensionality.When you are done, sign your name or put your symbol on the work of art so that everyone can identify you as the artist. Remember, art is in the eye of the beholder. Be creative. Have fun!
